More than 100 people turned out for the annual pie social on Saturday, September 10, at Hollow Fields on Perry's Peak Road, a property owned by Berkshire Natural Resources. It turned out to be an appropriate place to announce Janet Robertson's major gift of land just up the slope from the Hollow Field's preserve.

Mrs. Robertson's gift of 183 acres, owned by BNRC and with the conservation restriction held by the Richmond Land Trust, has more than doubled the land preserved on the east slope of Perry's Peak. John Keenum, Richmond Land Trust president, made the announcement on a sunny afternoon after townspeople enjoyed a feast of pies ranging from traditional apple to grasshopper and Key Lime.

The Charles and Mary Kusik Citizenship Award for 2016 went to the late Marguerite (Jackie) Rawson who died earlier this year. A selectman for 29 years, Jackie had also served the town on various committees and had been treasurer of the Richmond Land Trust for a number of years as well. Jackie had been told of the award prior to her death, and the award was accepted by her daughter, Kimberly Rawson.

The event also served as the trust's annual meeting with members voting to add Cindy Iwanowicz to the board of directors. She replaces her brother, Stanley, who served on the board for several years until his death in February.

The pie social, also known as the pie-nic, was sponsored by the land trust, the Richmond Civic Association and the Richmond Historical Society. Wendy Laurin chaired the event and also conducted the second annual photo contest. First place winners this year were Steve Patterson, Nanci McConnell, Lance Giter and Patrick Barry. Coming in second were Virginia Larkin, Ken Kelly, Joseph Castelluiccio and Fern Gitter. Winning in the youth category were Emily Roller and Orly Richter.

​Annual Pie Social

The Richmond Land Trust annually co-hosts a very unusual picnic in early fall, and one consists solely of home-baked pies! Many who attend bring their favorite pie, and attendees get to sample many, even taking home a copy of their favorite pie's recipe. The event rotates to different properties to showcase Richmond's many bucolic landscapes.

Another tradition at the pie-nic is the presentation of Richmond's annual citizenship award, the Charles and Mary Kusik Citizenship Award, established in 1992 and named after the Kusiks for their many contributions to the town of Richmond that have had an enduring impact on the quality of life in Richmond. Charles helped form the Civic Association and served as chairman of the Planning Board, in which capacity he authored the town's first zoning bylaw. Mary worked with the Community Health Association and helped launch the town calendar that we all rely upon.

The award is cosponsored by the Richmond Land Trust, the Richmond Civic Association, and the Richmond Historical Society.